Epic Inspiration

Last night Daddy Lion and I actually got to go out to dinner and a movie! THANK YOU Ms. K!!! We had a great time ~ just talking about nothing really.
The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian was our chosen film ~ I just love these. I'm not a movie critic, but I did really enjoy the movie.

Towards the end Lucy and Aslan have a conversation that really stirred me! He asks her why she did not come to Him earlier. Her answer was she was afraid to come alone. How true is that of me and how silly is that of me. I may feel lead in a direction, but because no one else is moving in that direction I decide not to. Lucy then asks the question we all tend to ask: "what if?" And I just loved Aslan's answer: It is not for us to know what would have been, but we can know what will be. (remember I'm paraphrasing all of these!)
So here I am, pondering all my "what if's," and realizing God cares about what I'm doing now! My prayer is that I be more bold and not use anyone as a crutch or rely on others to decide for me what I should do. Instead go first to God and obey his leading and guiding. Such big revelations from a movie! *SMILE*

A trip in the attic to find my Chronicles of Narnia collection is next: I want to start reading them to Little Lion!

It's all in the toes!

That's where my vanity lies! ;o) I love my toes . . . my favorite part of my body. I love having my toes painted, preferably by someone else.
Today I was tired of my bright pink toes, and decided to paint them red. 'Friar, Friar Pants on Fire!' red from O.P.I. to be exact. *grin* My only available time to do this was after dropping off Little Lion at school and before Little Pumpkin was down for nap. . .
She was so intrigued by what I was doing. Any time Mommy Lion gets down on the floor you worry! lol I quickly realized I wasn't going to accomplish much if she wasn't distracted. So I did it! For the first time I painted my little girls toes!!! **GRIN**


I've wanted to many times, but was scared of the mess. She did so good! I left her sandals on and painted only what I could see (hence the unpainted pinkie toes!) Then she was preoccupied with her toes and let me paint mine! She only tried once to touch and obeyed when told to leave them alone. A girl after my own heart!

Showing Daddy her pretty toes.
Daddy thought they looked pretty . . .

Pretty YUMMY! *lots of giggles*

Here's to many more years of painting toes together!

More Often???

Okay, most of you know me. And I'm a little compulsive about my house being clean. Okay maybe a lot. But I'm no Martha Stewart . . . and would NEVER pass a white glove test ~ I absolutely hate dusting. So don't look next time you're here! ;o)

I try my best to do my cleaning while Little Lion is at school. That's my excuse I mean explanation for the following episode:

After picking up Little Lion from school today, he immediately got on the computer to play Clifford. He had a GREAT day a school ~ he even fell asleep at rest time (that's happened 1 other time this entire year!). So, I was okay with the game. Plus it keeps him quieter for Little Pumpkin's afternoon nap!

I had cleaned most of the house this morning, but just had to finish vacuuming the living room. As I finished up and was putting away the vacuum Little Lion passed through. He looked at me and at the vacuum, then asked "Who's coming over tonight Mommy?"

Now this is not an unusual question. I kid you not, he asks this every other night! So I replied nonchalantly "Nobody." And this is when I realized his confusion . . . "Oh, then whatcha do that for?!" (referring to my vacuuming the floor!)

I guess I need to vacuum more often! That's what I get for picking out the awesome carpet that hides everything! ;o)

AWANA Awards

Okay, after sweet Park Wife blogged about forgetting her camera for the AWANA awards, I vowed I would not forget.

Well, um, you see, . . . I forgot!!! We got half-way there and I realized I forgot the camera. So, like any good mommy I asked friends to take pictures. Honestly, the whole acknowledgment took about 13 milliseconds! (not sure how I came up with that number - but it was short!?)

It was so cute. When they called Little Lion's name he went running up there (from two rows back) and did a little stance with a thumbs up, took his bag and ran back to his seat! I'm not sure I would have caught it with my camera unless I was videoing!

SO, I'll stage a picture later with his vest and his new patches! (thank goodness they are iron on patches or we would be in a lot more trouble~ however I do have some liquid stitch that gets the job done when needed!)

With his first year of Cubbies under his belt, he is sad to be done and ready for next year! But that's how he feels about anything . . .

Praisn' Jesus for my Little Lion's enthusiasm about life in general!

Mud Balls and more

I'm not sure where the term came from, but that's what Little Lion was making today as he played in the mud! Our 3 foot ditch in front of our house became a 6 foot swamp thanks to the 6+ inches of rain we got in 24 hours! But on the bright side . . . I didn't have to remember to water my newly planted flowers! *grin*

Okay, before I go on, I must explain Little Pumpkin's attire! I've admitted openly before that I am not a fashion guru ~ not even a novice! But I do try to dress my children in updated clothing.
Shockingly, Little Pumpkin is already beginning to express herself ~ mostly through accessories since she really has no choice in the actual outfit yet!

This morning while I was fixing my hair she got into my "hair accessories" drawer and pulled out every headband she could find and had them around her neck as necklaces! I really need to get a picture of it . . . this was not the first time!

After dinner tonight, I was working on last minute MOPS stuff (our meeting is in the morning!), so Daddy Lion was taking the kids outside to play. She refused to put on her shoes or even walk past the threshold until I put this pink headband on her head. . . she already had the ponytail with the yellow bow in!

The rubber boots were a must because of the mud!
Poor little rag-a-muffin. Even Daddy Lion asked me not to take a picture!

And Little Lion looking stylish himself!
He gets those GQ poses from his daddy.

The swamp!

What team work! He even helped her up and out when she fell in!
Such a great big brother!

My first words to Little Lion were "you can go in the mud with your boots on, but don't get your clothes muddy". Can I even believe those words came out of my mouth! I mean WHAT was I thinking?!? Besides the fact that this was the first day he had ever worn the shirt and shorts! *sigh* Loving boys! Keep saying over and over ~ it's washable, it's washable!

Oh, a present for me?!? I'm pretty sure she said "baull"!

Speaking of newly planted flowers, (way back in the first paragraph ~ welcome to my mind) *giggle* Check out how well they are doing! I'm so ecstatic about my butterfly bush!

The blooms are so much bigger than I expected for this year! I'm really praying I don't kill this one ~ I think this may just be my favorite flowering bush.

Even a few of my Indian Hawthorns are blooming! I thought their season was over ~ praisin' Jesus for sweet blooming surprises!

...She probably thinks this song is about her...

I caught my little girl tonight in a position I didn't expect to see her in for another 14 years.


If vanity is one of the seven deadly sins, I think we're in purgatory. Little Pumpkin got a new seat today from Papaw & Ms. K. While I was doing dishes, she pulled it up in front of the oven and just gazed at her reflection.

Of course I got the camera, and a huge Daddy boost when she chose to sit with me instead of in her chair. Just one more picture; no vanity here!


Daddy Lion

Lazy, Rainy day

What is it about rainy days that make you want to do nothing but sleep!!??
When the alarm went off at 5:20 for curves ~ I heard the rain, felt the pounding headache and chose to sleep! *grin* Even after getting up at 7:15 and fixing Little Lion's oatmeal with sprinkles, I crawled back in bed!
Yes, my name is Mommy Lion, and I'm a sleep-oholic!
Don't worry it didn't last long because just as I got nice and comfy under the covers, Little Pumpkin cried out! Okay, I admit, I did try to talk her into laying down in mommy's bed, but that wasn't happening. She wouldn't even keep her blanket!
So, awake I was . . . not by choice or definition! After breakfast and a diaper change, the three of us played in Little Pumpkin's room. Okay, I admit the two of them played and I dozed in and out of consciousness on the floor.
I was so excited when Little Pumpkin signed night-night at 9am! I thought I could get a[nother] little nap in myself!
Fate would have it the minute I laid her down . . . I was wide awake and all the daily little things were staring me in the face. So no [more] napping for me! I actually ended up having a pretty productive day with laundry, lunch, MOPS and more, I'm sure of it.

So, when Daddy Lion fell asleep on the couch reading at 7:45p, I had to remind myself of all the sleeping I got to do this morning! *smile*

Another dirty . . I mean Daddy trick!

Saturday afternoon we celebrated a little friend's first birthday.
After breaking open the pinata, of course the kids dived for the candy.
Even Little Pumpkin picked up some pieces.
Daddy Lion says she asked for it, but I'm not sure.
Check out Josie's post to see the aftermath!

Mother's Day

The past three years for Mother's Day we've broken from the norm.

We don't stand in line at Red Lobster anymore.

We don't try to keep our kids hushed at Olive Garden anymore.

We don't speed through lunch at Outback because our kids are "done"

We don't rush home to get the kids to nap.

We don't do dishes all afternoon.

Three years ago I surprised Mommy Lion with a picnic lunch at a new park built in town by Neil McCoy. Things went really well, Little Lion enjoyed it, and there was no mess to clean up. The only thing missing was a stable commode. Little Lion just hugged a tree!

This year we did the same, Little Pumpkin was old enough to play along, got zapped by static on the swirly slide, got bark mulch in her sandals, the whole thing was great.

Even better was that Mommy Lion invited Magnum, she was alone for the afternnon since Doc was working. That meant that Little Lamb & Gator got to join us for the fun and Quizno's subs!

Celebrating MOM

Since Sundays are pretty crazy with church responsibilities and AWANA's in the evenings, I decided to celebrate Mother's Day with my mom tonight. I offered to fix whatever she wanted, so by request we had Honey-Pecan Chicken with Sweet Potatoe Souffle' (I added a green salad just because everything else was so sweet). Nonetheless, we still had Turtle Cheesecake for dessert! Afterwards we played Clue and Phase 10 - the dice game. Mark won every time - I thought it was Mother's Day!?!? ;o)

I'm so thankful for my mom and the relationship we have. I know that if it were not for her during those pivotal teenage years I probably would have made some very poor choices. I'm striving now to build on my relationship with my little ones so that I have that same type of open communication with them in the teen years.

Thanks Mom for helping me become the mom I am today!

I love you ~ Happy Mother's Day!

Friday's Food for Thought

Yesterday we finished our first flower bed.

"Purple Rain" Salvia

Here is some Indian Hawthorn, Gardenias, and the Ligustrum.

And my favorite ~ the Butterfly Bush!

Little Lion - growing like weeds, bringing so much sunshine and joy!
Little Lion got to play in the water hose - I mean he "washed" our cars.

Friday's Food for Thought:
Let us be grateful to people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom. - Marcel Proust

Making Lemons From Lemonade

You know I love my little girl. You know if she asked for the moon I'd 'throw a lasso around it and pull it down'. Those eyes, she needs me for so many things. She's asks so sweetly for help when she can't get what she needs. Tonight was no different.



Before the full motherly attack begins, please note that Mommy Lion was fully involved too!
Little Pumpkin found the plastic lime and wanted a drink, so I obliged. The first time I didn't have the camera ready so this one was a bit staged. Not that you can stage this kind of a thing.

Tomorrow night, we move on to the plastic lemon.

Tickle Monster

No explanation needed! *giggle*

Singing in the Rain

I see a theme coming on with my titles and songs . . .hhhhmmmmm!

Anyway ~ Today we did it! We broke down and bought the plants for our front flower bed. Mind you this is only the one in front of our garage (it was a flower bed by default due to the walkway to the front door). OH MY LANDS!!! Have you priced shrubs and trees and such. . . we talking hundreds of dollars! But I guess after 2 and half years we had to do something . . . I mean the neighbors are starting to talk ~ I'm sure of it! Even the ones across the street have done their beds and when they moved in they said "Don't worry about your beds ~ we won't be doing ours any time soon and we can look bad together!" I think this is what prompted me to finally get going! That and Daddy Lion approved.

So, yesterday I went and picked them all out. Today I picked them up. And this evening Daddy Lion and Little Lion began helping me cut the weed paper and dig the holes. After about the sixth plant a little sprinkles came. No biggie. Then the downpour! We finished the filling the hole and moved our stuff and selves into the garage. So now I have a few plants planted and the rest just sitting out there waiting. At least they've been watered! *smile*

Little Lion couldn't resist:



After his performance, he ran in the garage and said: "No one told me that. I came up with it all on my own." He was quite proud of himself - as he should be. *grin*

Staying alive, Staying alive . . .

It's a good thing you guys can't hear me when I blog. Yes, I do talk aloud while I blog . . . I have to otherwise who knows what you might end up reading! *smile*
As you've probably noticed I haven't blogged in a while. Friday evening 5 other ladies and I hit the road for a long weekend of scrap-booking. We had so much fun: chatting, eating, scrapping, eating, shopping, eating. Did I mention we ate? And my stomach paid for it, but it was worth it all.
I don't think I've slowed down since I got home Sunday afternoon! So thus the title . . . I feel like I'm just staying alive right now! *grin*
Some days I think whoa, I've got too much on my plate. But then when I lay it all out, there really isn't a lot on there! It's just all the little things that I really want to do and have great ambition to do, but it just gets dropped in reality; like my scrap-booking and reading. My poor mommy book club. . . I'm still on chapter 5! I'm sure they are doing 8 or 9 by now.
I could have gotten more done today, but my Little Lion asked me to swing him. (He hardly ever wants to play outside without being persuaded, so when he asked of his own will, I had to stop and enjoy the moment.)
Or when he was a little frightened by the veggie tales movie (I know - a little odd), but none the less I wanted to comfort him and encourage him to be brave and watch anyway, not just turn it off and find something else to do. So, sitting on the floor watching the veggie tales Easter Carol was not on my to do list, but my son will hopefully remember it!
Okay, this post took a way different turn than what I sat down to blog about!
Off to run (after I eat my ice cream! *grin*)!!

Friday's Food for Thought

Here's to FRITO pie! One dish I can make! *grin*

She likes it, she likes it!

Friday's Food for Thought:

A house is not a home unless it contains food and fire for the mind as well as the body. - Margaret Fuller

Sweet Sleep

This is how Daddy Lion found Little Lion and Little Pumpkin earlier this week when he came home from work! I promise you it was sweet for me too.
Loving the sleeping buddies with them!

I scream, You scream, We ALL scream for ICE CREAM!

First it was Sonic last night. Tonight it was Baskin Robins!
(it was 31 cent scoop nite!)

So it's a good thing I'm doing Curves (confession: didn't make it this morning - but it was Daddy Lion's fault . . . He had a breakfast meeting this morning with some Bible Study guys!)
AND the treadmill! At this rate I'll be lucky to stay where I am!

We waited until the kids had their baths and pjs on. Then stole them away for ice cream. I think it was a big hit! Happy T Clown was there and he is alway a favorite - balloons and pure silliness!

We won't worry about the fact that Little Lion chose the Lime Daiquiri Sorbet!

Before the excursion we had some wonderful friends out for dinner. Little Pumpkin and their daughter AJ share a birthdate - only 4 hours apart! We've always joked they were twins from different wombs! *smile*

What a fun time we alway have with them. Daddy Lion and Mr. S are so funny together. And Tia S is so sweet! Anyway, they are from Brazil and just by coincidence - actually I believe it's the handiwork of GOD - the owner of Curves put a gal in contact with me who is new to the area and has kids close to my kids ages. She too is from Brazil, so she and her family came over just to meet all of us!

It was so neat - I think - to hear them all speaking Portuguese. That is of course unless they were actually complaining about us! *just kidding* We are all going to try to get together again soon. And hopefully the new couple will come visit the church!

GOD amazes me ALL the time! He cares about the simple details of our lives! Like putting people in just the right places at just the right time! SO COOL! I think I'll go meditate on that as I drift off to sleep.

He's got it figured out!

Okay, so let me set this up!

During dinner Daddy Lion told Little Lion if he ate everything on his plate, then we would go somewhere special. It motivated me to finish my dinner! *grin*

So poor Little Lion was quite obsessed with figuring out what special place we were going to. As was I! Finally, Daddy Lion gave Little Lion some options. As usual there were the crazy ones like going to Brookshire's and eating raw eggs. Then Mikey D's for pickles and ketchup. Or maybe Sonic for a slushy. A local pizza parlor for root beers. D.Q. for blizzards. Or maybe you just want a Popsicle from the freezer.

Surprisingly this was quite the dilemma for Little Lion. Somehow an ICEE came into the equation and that was what he wanted. Didn't matter that the only place for an ICEE is Brookshire's and that wasn't really what Daddy Lion and I were looking for!

We loaded in the car still trying to talk him into a slushy from Sonic, because you know they are the same as ICEE's. That's when it happened. . . my four year old opened his mouth and out came the voice of my 14 year son:

"Okay, Let me get this straight." (with hand motions and all) "First we can go to Brookshire's and get my ICEE, then go to Sonic and get ice cream for you guys."

So we did - just how he broke it down! How can you argue with that?!?!

Ramblings

Okay, I know I promised pictures. And I promise I haven't forgotten.
Our desktop computer has not been functioning properly and Daddy Lion has been preoccupied with moving and work issues. Therefore, I have been unable to access my pictures to upload them.
*frown*

I'm not feeling very interesting. So proceed with caution!

Today was a MOPS appreciation luncheon for the staff at the church where we meet. I'm glad I was there. . . I needed to be reminded of the real reason for MOPS. The MOMS it touches in life-changing ways. Hearing the three moms testimony of how MOPS helped them specifically this year was inspiring. I've got so many ideas swimming around for next year.

The kids did great for being on the go from 11am until 3pm. (I had errands to run and they were so good - of course the suckers from the lady at the credit union helped! *grin*)
I actually got all my ironing from the last two weeks done and I cooked dinner! Yes you heard right I cooked!
For those of you who aren't familiar with me. . . Daddy Lion does most the cooking in this house. Spoiled! I know! *smile* He is honestly just better at it than I am. I can follow any recipe, but to just come up with something out of whatever is in our cabinets, well that's a skill he has - not I.

I did manage to get Curves in this morning and the treadmill this evening! I should be well on my way to a great outfit for the wedding in August. I'll have to get Big Mama to give me some fashion pointers for the occasion! (Little Lion will be in our niece's wedding.) It just doesn't seem possible that she is getting married - she was a junior bridesmaid in our wedding! And it feels just like yesterday - lol Just seemed appropriate to be a little sappy there! *grin*

Okay if you are still reading my ramblings you are a true friend! Thanks for hanging in there. Off to prep for another day.
G'night